Italy deployed more troops to Lebanon Sunday as part of a growing multinational United Nations peacekeeping force, something that should have taken place long ago. Still, their work is not nearly done.

Although this action is simply a temporary solution, Lebanon and its citizens continue to fall victim to Hezbollah each day. The conflict may be between this group and the nation of Israel, but the Lebanese citizens continue to have their nation destroyed and occupied by both groups.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was one of the first to express support for a peacekeeping force in the volatile region, promising to help the U.N. deploy up to 15,000 troops in accordance to U.N. Resolution 1701.

Iran and Italy have been making a positive name for themselves in a region where United States popularity continues to decline, and it's time for President Bush to follow suit.

The Israel Defense Force declared it would consider withdrawing all troops from Lebanon within the next two weeks if the peacekeeping force continues to grow.

Although Israel claims their occupancy in Lebanon is a matter of stabilizing the nation, such a move by a single nation, especially one recently in combat, is nothing more than a continued symbol of aggression.

It is not surprising that the United States is withholding troops because of Bush's close ties with Israel and such a move could be seen as overstepping boundaries with an ally.

If Israel's motives are consistent with what they say they are, then U.S. presence in Lebanon is certainly no attack on Israel.

It would be, in fact, supporting Israel's expressed goals.

After an acceptable peacekeeping force is established in Lebanon, the U.N. must consider a long-term plan.

It is simply not feasible to have 15,000 troops patrolling the streets daily.

Such an action would leave Lebanon dependent and not capable of withstanding itself otherwise.

Only when the members of the U.N. resolve to repair the nation while protecting it will Lebanon be able to rebuild.